Hometown hip hop: Sinical releasing new album under Sin City Records label

Members of Fall River’s artistic community can expect a fresh batch of hip hop coming their way late this summer with the release of the album “Sin City Vol. 1,” courtesy of Sin City Records.

By Daniel Harnett

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

By Daniel Harnett

Posted Jul. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 13, 2013 at 1:18 PM

By Daniel Harnett

Posted Jul. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 13, 2013 at 1:18 PM

FALL RIVER

» Social News

Members of Fall River’s artistic community can expect a fresh batch of hip hop coming their way late this summer with the release of the album “Sin City Vol. 1,” courtesy of Sin City Records.

The Sin City record label was recently created by Sinical: a 25-year-old hip hop artist from the Fall River community that has let music be his guide since he started rapping at the tender age of 13. The label is a close-knit group comprised of rappers JK9, Jus Mitch, Foley, Phathum, Christina Perry and Disturbance.

“I pitched the idea to my friends back in 2012,” said Sinical. “What really made me want to collaborate with these artists was the prospect of expressing a common interest and projecting a voice.”

Like most forms of musical expression, hip hop is a craft that takes years of practice and experience. Through the course of 12 years as an artist Sinical has been signed to a number of labels: Blaqhole Ent. from Pheonix, Ariz.; Silver City Records, from Taunton; and Goodfella Records from West Palm Beach, Fla. By age 15 Sinical was well on his way to becoming a talented artist and was meeting with A&R (artists and repertoire) representatives from Artista and Interscope Records.

“Hip hop to me is a culture,” said Sinical. “But it’s not about diamonds and chains like the gimmicks you see in the media. It’s a way of communication. Hip hop is a way of speaking about life and how we all deal with the everyday struggle.”

His 2011 album “My Farewell to Hip Hop” has received attention in Fall River and he has been featured on two mix tapes in circulation in Providence. Yet his decision to create an independent label was not merely driven by a desire to work with local talent. Sinical is an artist that seeks to control his own destiny.

“I am completely against signing a major contract,” said Sinical. “Once you do that you have no financial independence and absolutely zero creative control; the only way an artist can get paid nowadays is to do things independently.”

Although the record label was initiated by Sinical, it was his friends and collaborators that fashioned the name Sin City Records as a way to pay homage to the aspiring artist.

“Typically when we work together on a song, one of us will produce a beat or the hook,” said Sinical. “Then, if anyone shows an interest, we all jump onboard. We mix and master until the job’s done.”

The members of Sin City Records are working around the clock in their studio located in Fall River; their first priority is to complete the album before deciding on a touring schedule or performing for a live audience. In the past, Sinical has performed in small venues of a few hundred people in Fall River. He draws his inspiration largely from his own life and personal experiences.

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“I see teenagers who resemble who I was 10 years ago and that brings me back and gives me inspiration for my work,” said Sinical. “But I think what is really driving this album to the finish line is our own excitement.”

The record label is eager to release an album that is both expressive and personable; each artist will have his or her own track that contains an earthly message that will be both worthwhile and meaningful for the targeted audience.

“In hip hop lyrics are what tell the story,” said Sinical, “and even if you only reach one person, it makes everything worth it.”

“Sin City Vol. 1” will be available for purchase online at Amazon.com and in 1,000 Degrees Clothing Store located in downtown Taunton.